The government shutdown means the Pentagon can't pay families to travel to Dover (Del.) Air Force Base when the remains of U.S. casualties return home.

Written by

Gregg Zoroya
USA Today/Gannett

The government shutdown is denying an array of financial benefits to families of troops killed in combat, training or by other causes in the military.

In addition, services to veterans were further curtailed Tuesday as the Department of Veterans Affairs exhausted some carryover funding and furloughed 7,000 workers who process compensation claims.

As a result, the VA cut off public access Tuesday to all 56 regional offices where veterans routinely walk in to file claims for compensation of combat- or other service-related wounds, injuries or illnesses. ...